A Real Emergency Need to send cash.

Padstow

Dropped daughter off at terminal 3 to fly to Tansania. First stop at Addis Abbaba. Her cash card has been declined, I'll elaborate on that later, I'm trying to send her cash via Western Union. before sending the money, it's not asking where she is to collect it , which should be Terminal 3 heathrow, . Does anyone know how WU works?s he is checking her bags in now to fly at 20.00.

reclusive46

Can't she call her bank to get the card unblocked? Why did she only travel with one card???

brendon

I think you get a reference number, she has to provide proof of who she is, and can cash in the transfer.

stclair

They should call their bank to get the card unblocked.

Which bank are they with? Are they travelling with a friend?

Padstow

reclusive46 wrote: »

Can't she call her bank to get the card unblocked? Why did she only travel with one card???

Thanks reclusive, solved now but don't know how to cancel my panicking headline.

Dropped her off for a ten day trek to the Masai/ rift valley, whatever. Got home at 4pm from a six am start to a panic call. Card had been blocked as expired, but hadn't, as 2014, plenty in the account, she should have been sent a new one , hadn't. No cash to leave with, so mum say's "don't worry, I'll send you cash via WU." Why as an experienced traveller this wasn't dealt with long ago, I have no idea.

However, I thought sending cash via WU would be a doddle, as searching WU and terminal 3 brings up the Travelex Desk. WU know nothing of this.

The problem is foreign call centres. She tried Visa, who'd never heard of Africa, but helpfully said, "This happens all the time."

I rang WU, Foreign again, who said there is no agent at Heathrow, when there is, and my daughter physically checked it at the Travelex Desk. They said to send the money there but WU won't recognise it.

Round and round it went, so where to ask? MSE forum posters of course.

It seems to be sorted now, she's arranged a cash transfer through someone in her group. I thought for a terrible moment that I was travelling back for yet another 300 mile round trip to bring her home!

I think she needs to ask her bank Lloyds/Visa to explain why they left her marooned with no money.

retiredin2011

don't know how to cancel my panicking headline


It is very easy,
click on edit
then click on go advanced


and alter your heading

TheEffect

I lost my wallet in Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) in 2011. It's definitely not a place to go with just one bank card, as there's no HSBC to get emergency money wired to.

Luckily as long as you're travelling with someone, it's as easy as transferring money to them and letting them withdraw it for you, if you can get mobile reception.

I hope your daughter has a great time now her money has been sorted. Tanzania is an amazing country!

pmduk

Obviously your problem has been solved now, but RBS group customers can get a code via the smartphone app to withdraw cash without a card, they suggest that this can be given to a third party

Freecall

pmduk wrote: »

Obviously your problem has been solved now, but RBS group customers can get a code via the smartphone app to withdraw cash without a card, they suggest that this can be given to a third party

I didn't know this, really useful in an emergency I would think.

Is it documented somewhere?

innovate

Freecall wrote: »

Is it documented somewhere?

http://www.rbs.com/news/2012/06/cardless-atm-getcash.html

EDIT: there has been some controversy over this app: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19857243

reclusive46

pmduk wrote: »

Obviously your problem has been solved now, but RBS group customers can get a code via the smartphone app to withdraw cash without a card, they suggest that this can be given to a third party

I thought that was only on RBS/Natwest ATMs though.